So I got a pair of Nike Air Zoom Prestige

[Devil_dog]

Thanks to Tennis Warehouse's sale price, I opted to buy and try a pair of the Nike Air Zoom Prestige. I'm an admittedly life-long Nike guy. My favorite tennis shoe for the last decade of playing has been the Nike Air Vapor 9/9.5s. I tried the Lunar Ballistecs but it never really felt right. But then came the Nike Vapor X... Oh, man. As much as I tried, they never fit my feet. The only one pair I have sits on the shoe rack and the last time I put it on, the shoe killed my feet. So fast forward to this past week, I bought a pair of the Prestige (it was on sale) and figured I give them a try. Guess what? They are practically identical to the Vapor 9.5s. Yes, there are some differences. The materials in the upper are different. The mesh is different. But the essential design of the shoe isn't different from the 9.5s. I ordered the same size in the Prestige as I've worn in the 9.5s and with some adjustment to the lacing to get the "fingers" to adapt and shape to my feet, I was ready to take them on court. I wore them for 2-plus hours and not once did my feet ache or feel sore. Are they the 9/9.5s of the past? Maybe not, but as far as my feet are concerned, they are a direct descendant and my feet approves of them. I will likely be buying more pairs in the near future.

 

[Devil_dog]

Update: Wore them for a two hour session in a tennis clinic this morning. There was a little bit of rain of the court but not enough to soak them. Grip was still fairly positive the entire time. Uppers felt great and the soles were ideal. No real signs of wear yet but then again I'm not terrible hard on my shoes. My Vapor 9.5s could last six months easy before they started to show appreciable signs of wear.

 

[n8dawg6]

still have my vapor 9.5s, although i wish they had a little more cushion. contrary to others experiences the Xs fit my feet well, they just have even LESS cushioning.

 

[Devil_dog]

still have my vapor 9.5s, although i wish they had a little more cushion. contrary to others experiences the Xs fit my feet well, they just have even LESS cushioning.

I wished the X's fit my feet, but alas, they don't. But thankfully the prestige model is about as close to the 9/9.5s as I'm going to get at this point.

 

[n8dawg6]

I wished the X's fit my feet, but alas, they don't. But thankfully the prestige model is about as close to the 9/9.5s as I'm going to get at this point.

hope they work out for you! ive been wanting to try those new balance 896s bc im a sucker for a lightweight shoe.

 

[Devil_dog]

hope they work out for you! ive been wanting to try those new balance 896s bc im a sucker for a lightweight shoe.

Are you talking about the version 3 shoes??? I just saw those. Those look pretty sweet. I need to know how roomy the forefoot area is before I completely fall for the 896 v3 shoes.

 

[n8dawg6]

Are you talking about the version 3 shoes??? I just saw those. Those look pretty sweet. I need to know how roomy the forefoot area is before I completely fall for the 896 v3 shoes.

yep, i was actually looking at the v2s and then saw the v3’s and thought dayum! looks like a fairly open shoe to me, ive just never tried one on so i cant say. i usually dont NEED the level of support that is offered in something like a vapor x, although i do like cushioning and light weight, without feeling like youre wearing platforms

 

[Devil_dog]

Oh, and another update. Practiced in the Vapor Zoom Prestige shoes for about 90 minutes tonight and the shoes felt great. The temperature on court was in the low 90s tonight but the uppers seemed to ventilate the heat buildup well. Grip remains superb and overall fit is secure with no pinching or toebox crowding. The heel feels locked in while the forefoot area is "comfortably" roomy. For whatever reason, the Vapor 9/9.5s design was nearly perfect for my feet and no other shoe has come close. But seeing the new New Balance 896 version 3 shoes, I'm intrigued...

 

[n8dawg6]

they might be crap, but the reviews of the v2s make em look like cult classics

 

[Devil_dog]

they might be crap, but the reviews of the v2s make em look like cult classics

You talking about the NB 896s? Have reviews been bad?

 

[PatrickT]

How do you know the difference between the V2 and V3? I also loved the 9.5s (found them to be pretty much perfect) and am looking for a shoe to replace them. These Prestiges look nice. Are the ones currently on sale for $75 at TW the ones we're talking about here?

Nike Air Zoom Prestige Bone/Black/Lava Men's Shoe

www.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[eman11]

I think this is a pretty nice color way...

 

[AndyBarronMuzza]

Anyone else's prestige squeak a little? how do you stop it?
Also, I find these shoes absolutely need insoles - the sole doesn't have any cushioning like the X's.

 

[smboogie]

I find the Prestige to be a bit stiffer than 9.5s/X but otherwise a similar fit. Durability seems to be slightly better than 9.5s though so that could be the stiff tradeoff.
Worst Vapors for me were the flynits, they didn't have as much support and the tongue moved around way too much making the fit change during play which really bothered me.

I will say I really like the Zoom Zero's as they are very comfortable! They take a bit of time to get used to because they are a bit higher off the court than Vapors but they reward with a great locked in feel (booty design) and Nike Air comfort. A lower cost alternative is the Nike Wildcard of which I have a pair but the fit is tighter in the toe box so go up a 1/2 size if possible or I hear taking out the air insole and cutting off the flap by the pinky toe area clears it up well (haven't tried it yet). I did just get a pair of Adidas Boost shoes and just putting them on they felt very light and well cushioned while being low to the court, haven't played in them yet.

 

[topspin2000]

I'm also a big fan of the Prestige. They seem to always be on sale also, so they make for great deals. Very comfortable and the fit was perfect for me. Plus they look great too.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

I find the Prestige to be a bit stiffer than 9.5s/X but otherwise a similar fit. Durability seems to be slightly better than 9.5s though so that could be the stiff tradeoff.
Worst Vapors for me were the flynits, they didn't have as much support and the tongue moved around way too much making the fit change during play which really bothered me.

I will say I really like the Zoom Zero's as they are very comfortable! They take a bit of time to get used to because they are a bit higher off the court than Vapors but they reward with a great locked in feel (booty design) and Nike Air comfort. A lower cost alternative is the Nike Wildcard of which I have a pair but the fit is tighter in the toe box so go up a 1/2 size if possible or I hear taking out the air insole and cutting off the flap by the pinky toe area clears it up well (haven't tried it yet). I did just get a pair of Adidas Boost shoes and just putting them on they felt very light and well cushioned while being low to the court, haven't played in them yet.

Spot on with the tongue. I HATE that the tongue on the solecourt boost moves so much, especially because I got the wrong size so I just double sock. I pull it up so much the laces hurt, and then it just goes back down. Hate the solecourt boosts.

 

[smboogie]

Spot on with the tongue. I HATE that the tongue on the solecourt boost moves so much, especially because I got the wrong size so I just double sock. I pull it up so much the laces hurt, and then it just goes back down. Hate the solecourt boosts.

I have been picking up many shoes with all the sales as I have a harder size to find (M14) and I got a pair of the adidas, haven't played with them yet (obviously) but walked around in them and didn't notice issues. They are a very comfy shoe as I do love the Boost tech.

The shoe I want to try out is the new Vapor Cage by Nike. I was not a big Cage fan as I felt they were too stiff and had too much arch support causing me discomfort until they were well broken in. Cage's excel at durability and a solid locked in feel. If some of the vapor love made it into the Cage's it could be a great, durable, alternative for me.